Sen. Moe Maestas

Maddy summaryThis bill would revise New Mexico's zoning laws to allow apartment buildings in areas currently zoned for commercial use, permit duplexes and townhouses in single-family residential zones, and let small businesses (like shops or cafes) operate in residential neighborhoods. It removes restrictions on building height and story count, prohibits minimum parking requirements for new developments (except for accessible parking), and requires local governments to adopt these changes. The law directly affects cities and counties by changing how they approve housing and mixed-use projects, impacting developers, property owners, and residents seeking more housing options.

Maddy summarySB 147 expands New Mexico's Juvenile Community Corrections Grant Fund to support community-based programs for youth aged 18-22 (previously defined as "children" under 18) and adjudicated delinquents. The bill allows counties, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations to apply for grants to operate diversion programs focused on prevention, intervention, and community services instead of incarceration. It requires that no more than 12% of fund money can cover administrative costs and mandates annual reporting to the legislature on program effectiveness. The legislation directly affects youth in the justice system and community service providers receiving state funding. It clarifies that funds can be used for direct program operation or contracting, with strict rules for grant applications and eligibility.

Maddy summarySB 141 requires New Mexico's Public Education Department to establish eligibility rules for students to participate in school activities like sports, clubs, and competitions. The bill allows the department to delegate this rule-making authority to a school association (such as a sports league), but only if the department retains specific oversight powers. These include the right to approve or disapprove the association's rules, require financial audits, and ensure compliance with open meetings and public records laws. This ensures the department maintains control over student eligibility standards while permitting associations to manage activities under defined conditions.

Maddy summarySB 50 removes annual in-service training requirements for certified police officers and telecommunicators in New Mexico. It specifically eliminates the need for yearly refreshers on topics like domestic abuse incident training, child abuse incident training, mental health interaction, crisis de-escalation, and trauma kit use that were previously mandated under existing law. The bill retains basic training requirements but reduces the frequency of mandatory annual updates for officers and telecommunicators. This directly affects all certified law enforcement personnel and public safety telecommunicators statewide. The change streamlines training obligations without altering the core curriculum content for initial certification.

Maddy summarySB 113 increases New Mexico's agricultural biomass tax credit from $5 to $10 per wet ton for dairy and feedlot owners who transport biomass to facilities generating electricity or biocrude fuel. It directly affects dairy and feedlot operators by allowing them to claim this credit against state income or corporate taxes for eligible biomass transportation. The bill sets a $5 million annual cap on total credits, allows unused credits to carry forward up to four years, and permits credit transfers between taxpayers. This change applies to taxable years ending before January 1, 2030, and aims to incentivize renewable energy production from agricultural waste.

Maddy summarySB 160 would increase prison sentences for certain firearm-related crimes in New Mexico. If a court finds a firearm was used, brandished, or discharged during a noncapital felony (like drug trafficking or aggravated burglary), it would add 2 to 10 years to the base sentence - doubling prior penalties. This applies to people convicted of offenses involving firearms, requiring separate court findings about the firearm's role. The bill mandates jury consideration for these findings in certain cases and includes provisions for firearm forfeiture. The bill is currently under review by Senate committees.

Maddy summarySB 76 increases New Mexico's gasoline tax from 17 cents to 23 cents per gallon and raises the special fuel excise tax from 21 cents to 26 cents per gallon. This bill directly affects all consumers and businesses purchasing gasoline or special fuels in New Mexico, as it raises the cost per gallon for these products. The key change is the specific tax rate increase for both fuel types, effective July 1, 2026. The bill makes no other policy changes beyond adjusting these excise tax rates.

Maddy summarySB 167 raises the penalty for unlawfully carrying a deadly weapon on school premises from a fourth-degree felony to a third-degree felony, resulting in harsher sentencing for this offense. It clarifies the definition of "school premises" to include school buses, playgrounds, parking areas, and other public spaces where school activities are held. The bill directly affects individuals who carry weapons in these areas without one of the specified exceptions, such as school security personnel, students in authorized programs, or persons in private vehicles for lawful protection. This change modifies the criminal penalty without altering the list of allowed exceptions for carrying weapons.

Maddy summaryHB 252 transfers the New Mexico Athletic Commission's authority from its current structure to the Regulation and Licensing Department. The bill expands the commission from five to seven members, changes its composition rules, eliminates the Medical Advisory Board, adds new licensing categories for athletic events, and modifies fee structures for the commission fund. This directly affects athletic promoters, fighters (including boxers, mixed martial artists, and sports entertainment wrestlers), and the Regulation and Licensing Department, which will now oversee athletic licensing and enforcement. Key provisions include moving administrative oversight to the department, removing penalties for violations, and updating definitions to align with the new structure. The bill amends specific sections of New Mexico's statutes (60-2A-2 and 60-2A-3 NMSA 1978) to implement these changes.

Maddy summaryThis memorial (SM 13) requests the Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty Division of the Department of Justice and the Land Grant Council to study potential consequences of restructuring the governance of the Las Vegas land grant. It directly affects the Las Vegas land grant community and the San Miguel County district court, which currently manages the grant under 1903 laws. The study will evaluate changing the court's role in appointing the grant's board of trustees and managing the land, with a report due by December 1, 2026. The bill does not change laws but seeks to assess options for governance reform.